My 41st Week of Pregnancy Felt Like a Month

Forty weeks of pregnancy is long enough; going 41 (or 42!) weeks can make even the most patient mom miserable. I know I was. My first pregnancy ended with an induction when I was a week past due. We'd scheduled my induction for day seven of week 41, and I spent seven incredibly long days at home, trying to keep my sanity and praying I would go into labor on my own.

During that week -- which felt more like a month -- I learned a whole lot about what you should and shouldn't do while waiting for baby.

Quit trying to induce labor "naturally." Here's the thing: There is no "natural" way to induce labor. Natural labor is labor that happens on it's own, and any efforts to make it happen are largely fruitless. Trust me, during week 39, I tried a few different things. I ate a pineapple core. I ate spicy food. I even cooked food heavy on strong herbs known for inducing labor. Nothing worked, and I wound up making myself sick and feeling anxious about my failed attempts to start labor.

Sleep as much as possible -- and don't feel guilty. If there is an ideal time to take three naps a day, it's when you are trying to survive week 41 of pregnancy. This is not the time to deep clean your house or finish up a few things before your baby arrives. Honor your body -- and the hard work of childbirth and parenting -- by giving it the rest it needs before your big day.

Keep moving (but don't overdo it!). Okay, so maybe this seems counterintuitive after the tip above, but I found movement helped me keep an upbeat attitude while waiting for labor. Not only that, I felt my physical comfort was aided by gentle walks in the park or laps around the mall during that last week. Of course, it's important to listen to your body. If you are experiencing pain or feeling exhausted, take a break and let your body rest.

Catch up on reading. As important as it is to sleep, there is only so much napping you can do, even at 41 weeks pregnant. I found that I really cherished the quiet of my last few days without a child, and the time I spent reading and writing in my journal was important to preparing my soul for motherhood.

Connect with your partner. Sure, when your feet are swollen and you are dealing with a full-term belly, romance may be the last thing on your mind. But these last few days with your partner before adding another human to your home are precious. I was glad I went out with my husband for a final date and spent time chatting about the future during restful evenings at home, waiting for our first daughter to arrive.

When all else fails, turn on Netflix. Let's face it: No matter how hard you try to stay positive during your final days of pregnancy, carrying past your due date is hard. If you are overdue, it is OK to feel a little sorry for yourself ... and cope by binge watching Netflix.

Mary is wife to Chris and mama to Clementine with a second little one arriving this spring. She spends her days on the floor with her rough and tumble one-year-old or standing over her stove dreaming up new recipes. Her nights are spent working on an inpatient mental health unit, where her heart breaks for the broken, abused, and marginalized. In her free time, she writes on her blog, The Sauers, about motherhood, faith, her love for food, and natural living.

This story is meant to reflect individual contributors' experiences and does not necessarily reflect What to Expect's point of view. This content is not intended to be used as medical advice, for diagnosis, or treatment.